Evaluating the quality of Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) in South Africa – the case of the Vaal Triangle

Abstract

In response to deteriorating air quality, South Africa, as many countries have, implemented national programmes that aim to manage and regulate ambient air quality and air pollution. Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs) are clear outlines of measures and resources needed to achieve air quality objectives in a given geographical area and require efforts by government, business, industry, NGOs and the public. The success of the AQMPs depends primarily on the support of all stakeholders. The Vaal Triangle Air Shed Priority Area (VTAPA) was declared in 2006 as an area which exceeds ambient air quality standards or may cause adverse air quality impacts in the area. This research study focused on the VTAPA with the aim of evaluating the quality of the first and second-generation air quality management plan for the Vaal Triangle Air-shed Priority area. The first objective of this study included developing a review package that can be used to assess the quality of AQMPs in South Africa by adopting and modifying the Lee and Colley package. The second objective was to apply the developed review package to evaluate the quality of the VTAPA AQMP systematically. The extent to which the AQMP met the expected outcomes of the review package defined the quality of the AQMP report. Both the first and second-generation draft AQMPs were considered to be of good quality. The first-generation AQMP was found to be of better quality than that of the second-generation draft. Funding mechanisms need to be investigated to assist in the implementation of intervention strategies in the AQMP as both the first and second-generation draft AQMPs were found to be lacking in terms of potential to secure funds. Though the second-generation draft AQMP was found to be of lesser quality, the source apportionment study for identification of all sources as well as a better-outlined air quality management system was found to be good improvements to the AQMP.